Hamburger patty forming apparatus



Jan. 11, 1938.v M. o. BEssLoNl-:TTE 2,105,211

HAMBURGER PATTY FORMING APPARATUS Filed April 6, 19:56

S am 'ullll' @l /8 (Y U f ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAMBURGER PATTY FonMING APPARATUS Marshall 0. Bessonette, Medford, Oreg. Application April s, 193s, serial No. '12,911

18 Claims.

This -invention relates to apparatus for making hamburger steak patties and has for its objects the provision of means for quickly forming various sized hamburger steak patties of a uniform predetermined size and shape, and means for grinding the steak immediately prior to the form-A ing of each patty, which grinding means contributesvto the forming of the patties. A further object is the provision of means for quickly making patties of hamburger steak in various predetermined shapes and sizes. Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specifications and drawing.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a side -view of myv apparatus, broken away in parts and sectioned to show the construction more clearly and with the elements beyond a vertical plane at the sectioned portion being omitted for clarity,

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of a portion of my apparatus as seen alongthe line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the means for feeding meat to the grinder.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the patty smoothing and meat distributing member.

Fig. 4 is a reduced plan view of a table carrying the patty forms, including the forms, the supporting standard being in section.

In detail my apparatus comprises a hollow cast base or pedestal I, a hollow post 2 extending vertically therefrom, supporting an electric motor 3 from one side thereof disposed with its shaft vertical and extending from the lower side of the motor. A conventional meat chopper feed screw 4 is removably connected to the motor shaft, which screw extends vertically downwardly in a. tubular casing 5 secured by a thumb-screw 6 to the motor housing. At the upper end of casl ing 5 is a laterally directed feed inlet 1 through which chunks of meat from a hopper 8 are fed tov the screw 4 for being partially chopped and fed to cutter 9 revolvable therewith and through the holes in the conventional stationary disk III associated therewith. The hopper is preferably fitted with a piston-like pusher member I I adapted to be actuated to push or force the .meat through the inlet 1 to the upp`er end of the vscrew 4, a push rod I2 being connected to the member II for manually forcing the member toward the inlet, or a link connection of conventional form can be used, such means being common in Vapparatus of this type and no claim being made thereto apart from the combination as shown.

At the lower end of tubular casing 5 is a rela- 55 tively shallow cylindrical bell-like housing I3,

open at its lower end, and threadedly engaging the lower end of casing 5 at its neck. Revolvably fitted within this housing is a circular disk I4 of greater diameter than the casing 5.

The housing I3 is provided with a radially 5 inwardly-directed lip I5 securing the perforate member IIl against revolving in the casing 5 relative to cutter 9 and the sides I6 of the housing terminate at their lower edges slightly below the lower surface of diskl4.

The disk I4 is formed with slots I1 extending oppositely and radially outwardly of the center of the disk, and the disk is secured to stub shaft I8 axially extending downwardly from the lower end of the screw feed 5 by a screw I9 for turn- 15 ing of the disk with the screw feed in the direction of the arrow as indicated inl Fig. V3.

Each of the slots respectively has similarly inclined beveled sides providing an acute edge 20, on the side adjacent the perforate member 20 II) of the chopper headv and `on-the side of the slot facing the direction of travel of the slots, so that ground or chopped meat fed to the disk I4 will be passed through the slots in an angular direction relative to the plane of the disk as the 25 disk revolves and over the relatively obtuse angle formed along the lines X as seen in Fig. 3. The acute edges 20 of the slots extend generally tangentially outwardly relative to the central hub 2| of the disk, and the slots terminate at their 30 outer ends inwardly of the edge of the disk so that all the meat will pass through the slots to the lower side of the disk, and will not jam between the disk and sides of housing I3.

The inclination of the side edges of the slots, 35 and the directional course taken by the meat, provide for a smoothing of the upper surface of theground meat as it leaves the slots in the disk I4.

Below the housing I3 and 4disk I4, I provide- 40 a horizontal table 22 (Figs. l and 4) which table is revolvably supported at bearing 23 from the post 2 so as to swing around the post to various positions, the bearing 23 being notched at several places as at 24 to receive the end of a leaf spring 45 25 that is secured to post 2 for frictionally securing the table at the several positions determined by the positions of the notches, but by slight force the table may be swung from one position to the other around the post.

The table 22 carries three sets of posts 26, each set of posts comprising three, each extending vertically upwardly from the table, and the posts of each set are arranged to receive therein an annular ring, the rings being indicated at 21, 28,

29 (Fig. 4) and .each ring being notched at its edge in three places as at 30 to slidably secure the ring between the posts of the set in which it is positioned for vertical movement.

Said posts are cut away at their upper ends to form shoulders 32 supporting the rings at the upper ends of the posts spaced a substantial distance from the table.

Axially aligned below the rings is a circular plate 35 centrally formed with an internally threaded downwardly projecting hub 36 that rests on the table 22, and a tubular sleeve 31 is threaded into each hub and extends downwardly therefrom. The table is journaled at its outer edge in three places and is formed with bearings 39 slidably passing the sleeves to below the table, While the edges of the plates 35 are provided with notches at 30' generally similar to the notches in rings 21 to 29 to slidably secure each plate between the posts 26 of each set ofv posts on the table.

Within each sleeve 31 is a rod 39 shouldered at its lower end to engage a nut 40 threaded on the lower end of the sleeve for retaining the rod within the sleeve, and the rod is reduced below the shoulder at 4i to pass through an opening formed in the nut and to extend a slight distance below the nut. Between the upper end of rod 39 and plate 35 is a small coil spring 42 that is adapted to yieldably force the rod downwardly within the sleeve, so that upon lifting the rod from its reduced lower end the plate is yieldably supported on the spring. l Within the base or pedestal i of the apparatus is a vertically slidable rod 43 extending through a bearing 44 in the pedestal and the rod 43 is axially aligned below rod 39. The rod 43 is adapted to be lifted vertically to engage rod 39 and to lift the plate 35 by means of lever 45 pivoted on a shaft 46, which-lever is provided with arms 48 at its outer end, each of which arms is slotted at 49 to receive rollers 50 that extend from opposite sides of the post 43. The lever extends outwardly of the. pedestal atthe end opposite the arms 48 and is provided. with a pawl 5I adapted to successively engage teeth 52 in a ratchet member 53. The pawl being releasable from engagement with the teeth by a thumb release 54 extending from the outer end of the lever.

The lower end of the rod 43 is provided with a laterally extending arm 55 adjustable on the rod by a nut 56 that is adapted to engage a. switch arm`51 of an electric switch 58 having wires 59 leading to the'motor 3 andalso main power wires 60 for4 supplying current to the motor. The switch is of the conventional automatic cut-off type adapted to close the circuit to the motor when the switch arm 51 is lifted by the arm 55 and to automatically break the circuit when the arm 51 is released.

On each of the plates 35 is a stack of waxed papers 6|, also guided between the posts 26, but not necessarily notched, like the plate.

In the foregoing description, the particular mounting of only one of the plates 35 has been described, but there are three of these plates, one for each of the three annular rings, and there is only one lifting mechanism in the pedf estal. The notches 24 on the table are so arranged that the table in its several positions will support one of the plates 35, stacks of paper 3|,` and the annular rings thereabove directly below, and axially aligned with the housing I3 on the chopper and in such position, the post 39 extending below the plate 33 will be exactly over and aligned with the post 43 in the pedestal when that particular plate is below the chopper. It will be noted that the posts 23 terminate at their upper ends slightly below the lower edge of the sides i5 of the housing so as to clear the housing when the table is revolved, and the lower ends 4i of posts 39 also are slightly spaced above the upper end of post 43 when the latter is in its loweredv position. Thus the table 22 can be easily swung to its various positions.

'I'he posts 29 of each set are arranged on three sides only of the paper 3i, thus facilitating the removal of the top sheet of paper from the side of the plates 35 opposite the post 2, which is where the operator normally stands when operating the apparatus.

In hamburger stands, restaurants and other eating places, it is generally necessary to serve several different-sized hamburger steaks, whether in sandwiches or alone, there being, for example, a ten-cent size and a five-cent size, and certain patrons prefer odd-shaped steaks. Also, at the peak load of the day, it is highly desirable to keep a supply of several preformed patties in order to quickly fill'the orders that come in two or more at a time, but it is very objectionable to maintain a large supply of ground hamburger meat in reserve since the meat quickly becomes grey, and in any event the majority of customers prefer to see the meat before it is ground in order to insure that they are getting meat vof good quality.

In my apparatus, all the above advantages are found and in actual operation, if a large patty is desired, the operator quickly turns the table so that ring 21 is below the chopper, the required several chunks of meat are placed in the hopper 3, the lever 45 is pulled down, thus raising plate 35 the upper sheet of the stack 6i engages the ring 21, lifting it to engage with the lower edge of housing I3. The depressing of the outer end of lever 45 automatically starts the motor 3 and the ground chunks of meat are quickly formed to an absolutely perfect circular hamburger patty within the ring 21 on the upper sheet of the stack of papers. If there is a. trifle overage of meat, the spring 42 permits the stack of paper to slightly yield downwardly.

The lever 45 is then raised, lowering the plate 35 with the patty on the stack, and the patty comes cleanly away from the ring 21 since the inner sides of the ring are slightly beveled outwardly as seen in Fig. l. The motor automatically stops when the plate is lowered and the oper- 4 ator slides the top sheet of the stack, with the patty thereon, between the two side posts 26, and the patty is transferred to the stove without the meat having been touched by the hands of the operator as is the usual process in making patties.

If a smaller steak is desired, ring 28 is brought below the chopper, and the process is repeated, or by swinging ring 29 in place, a star-shaped steak is formed. All the rings may be made of the same size and thickness and shape, or they may be of different. sizes and shapes and thicknesses, all that it is necessary to do to change the rings is to quickly slip the desired ring between any of the sets of posts desired after removing the ring previously between the posts. If a supply of several patties is desired, the operator can make up a plurality of patties according to the number of rings on the table, and whileonly 75 anotan three are shown, it is obvious that the table may extend all around the post 2. t

` The post 2 is made so 'as to telescopically join the pedestal and be separable therefrom byre- Havingthus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In apparatus for forming hamburger steak patties the combination comprising, a meat chopper including means for ejecting the chopped meat therefrom, a patty form having side walls and open top and bottom and positioned to receive the chopped meat ejected from the chopi per through the open upper end thereof, means for closing the lower open end of the form'and for supporting the chopped meat within the form, means adjacent the upper open end oi' the form operably connected to said chopper for distributing the chopped meat over the area within the form upon actuation of the chopper, and meansv mounting said form and supporting -means for relative movement toward and away from each other whereby the chopped meat within the form will be supported on said supporting 'means free of the form.

2. In a construction as definedin claim 1, said supporting means including a horizontal table and said form `being substantially annular in.

shape and disposed in a horizontal plane over said table and the chopper including a motor for actuating the same, and means actuated by the relative movement of the supporting means and form for causing actuation oi' said motor when the supporting means is in position to support the chopped meat within the form and for rendering the motor inoperative when the form and supporting means are moved apart from each other.

3. In apparatus for iiormingvv hamburger steak V patties, the combination comprising a meat chopper having a downwardly directed discharge outlet for ejectlngl the chopped meat therefrom, a substantiallyannular horizontally disposed patty form below said discharge outlet positioned to receive the chopped meat therein, a horizontal plate below said annular form provided with a vertical pile of paper sheets positioned under.

the area within the form, and means mounting said chopper, form and plate i'or relative vertical.

movement toward and away from each` other.'

4. lIn apparatus for forming hamburger steak patties. a meat chopper having a downwardly directed outlet for ejecting the chopped meat therefrom, a horizontally disposed table below said chopper. a generally annular horizontally disposed patty form, means on said table supporting said form`positioned to receive chopped meat from said outlet, means for moving said form vertically toward and away from said out'- let, and means for moving said form horizontally from below said outlet.

5. In a construction as dened in claim 4, the means for moving said form vertically including a plate carried by said table below said outlet.

6. In apparatus for forming hamburger steak patties, the'combination comprising a meat chopper having a Adownwardly directed outlet for ejecting the chopped meat therefrom, a plate below said outlet .adapted to support a sheet of paper thereon for supporting the chopped meat on the paper, means for vertically moving saidv plate and chopper relatively, means for horizontally moving said *plate and chopper relatively to each other a generally annular horizontally disposed patty form positioned adjacent said outlet in axial alignment therewith, and means for' distributing chopped' meat over the area within said form, said last-mentioned means being operatively connected with said chopper for actuation therewith.

7. In a construction as defined in claim 6, said` last-mentioned means comprising a circular disk provided with a radially extending slot therein for passing the chopped meat therethrough to vwithin the form.

' tioned between said form and outlet for distributing meat over the area within said form.

10. In a construction as deiined in claim 9, means yieldably supporting said plate and lastmentioned means in spaced relation.

11. In a construction as defined in claim 9, means yieldably supporting said plate and lastmentioned means in spaced relation comprising a spring below said plate whereby the plate will move downwardly upon a predetermined downward pressure thereon.

12. In apparatus for forming hamburger steak patties,l a meat chopper having a downwardly directed discharge outlet for the chopped meat, a

, plurality of horizontal plates disposed in a generally horizontal plane below said outlet, means for selectively positioning one of said plates below said outlet, means disposed in a horizontal plane below said outlet and between the outlet and said selectively positioned plate for forming the chopped meat into patties, and means below said outlet and said selectively positioned plate for moving saidV plate toward and away from said outlet. i

13. In apparatus for forming hamburger steak patties, a meat chopper having a downwardly directed discharge outlet for the chopped meat, a plurality of horizontal plates below said outlet and a plurality of generally annular horizontally disposed patty forms disposed in a substantially horizontal plane, lone of said patty forms being disposed over each of said plates and spaced thereaboveend theplane in which the forms are disposed being below said outlet, means for selectively positioning the plates and forms thereabove in axial alignment withsaid outlet, and means for moving the plate and y form positioned below said outlet toward and vertical post stationarily supporting said chopper Aelevated above a supporting surface, and

means for supporting said plates and forms from said post for revolving around the post in a circular path below said outlet.

15. In a construction as deined in claim 13 a base and vertically extending post arranged for 5 supporting said chopper elevated above the base and themeans for moving said plates and forms toward and away from said outlet including a vertically reciprocable rod mounted in said base. means connected to each of the plates adapted to engage said rod when one of the plates is axially aligned below the chopper for lifting the plate `upon upward movement of the rod, and means projecting from a'side of said base for manual 5 operation for reciprocating said rod.

ably supporting the forms respectively for vertical movement and for supporting said forms spaced above said plates, each of said plates beving adapted to support a stack of papers, and

said guide means being arranged to permit lateral sliding of said papers from said plates.

MARSHALL O.l BESSONE'I'I'E. 

